Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Tribal Students’ Relocation Sparks Political Row in Visakhapatnam
A school for tribal children in Marikavalasa is being changed into a special coaching centre.
Because of this, about 480 students were moved to other residential schools.
The move happened during the school year, which worried many parents.
Parents wanted the children to keep studying at the existing school.
Some students reportedly received Transfer Certificates because families were unsure what would happen.
Parents and students held protests after discussions with officials did not solve the problem.
Police stopped several YSRCP leaders who were going to support the protesters.
The YSRCP says the government should keep the school open or build a new coaching centre elsewhere.
About 480 tribal students were shifted from Marikavalasa midway through the academic year.
The school was selected for conversion into a Centre of Excellence offering NEET and IIT coaching.
Students were moved to residential institutions in Sabbavaram, Srikrishnapuram, Devarapalli, Parvathipuram and elsewhere.
Parents opposed the relocation, while protests and talks with officials failed to resolve the dispute.
YSRCP leaders, including Pushpa Sreevani and Balaraju, were detained while travelling to meet protesting parents.
- Who
- About 480 tribal students, their parents, YSRCP leaders and Andhra Pradesh officials are involved.
- What
- The Marikavalasa Tribal Welfare Residential School is being converted into a Centre of Excellence, and its students have been relocated.
- When
- The relocation occurred midway through the academic year; YSRCP leaders were detained on Tuesday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Marikavalasa school in Visakhapatnam, with students moved to institutions including those at Sabbavaram, Srikrishnapuram, Devarapalli and Parvathipuram.
- Why
- The school was selected for specialised NEET and IIT coaching, while parents and the YSRCP oppose moving students from their established campus.
YSRCP and Parents
Government Conversion Plan
Relocation of students
YSRCP and Parents
Parents and the YSRCP say students should continue at the Marikavalasa campus and that moving them during the academic year disrupts their education and separates them from their families.
Government Conversion Plan
Officials proceeded with relocating the students after selecting the school for conversion into a Centre of Excellence; the articles do not provide a detailed official response to the parents’ objections.
Purpose of the conversion
YSRCP and Parents
The YSRCP says improving education cannot mean uprooting children from a functioning tribal residential school and argues that a new centre should be built on alternative land.
Government Conversion Plan
The school was selected for a Centre of Excellence offering specialised NEET and IIT coaching, but the articles do not state the government’s detailed justification beyond that plan.
Police handling of protests
YSRCP and Parents
YSRCP leaders condemned the detention of opposition figures and described it as suppression of democratic rights while they were supporting protesting parents.
Government Conversion Plan
Police stopped and escorted the leaders away, but the articles do not provide the police’s explanation for the detentions.
- Affected students
- Approximately 480 tribal students
- School history
- The school has been functioning since 2004 and serves students from Class 5 to Intermediate.
- New designation
- Centre of Excellence offering specialised NEET and IIT coaching
- Relocation timing
- Midway through the academic year
- Reported transfer certificates
- Around 70 students reportedly obtained Transfer Certificates amid uncertainty.
- Other Centres of Excellence
- The conversion plan reportedly includes schools at Meghadrigedda, Tadikonda and Kota, affecting nearly 2,000 students overall.
- Police action
- Former Deputy Chief Minister Pushpa Sreevani, former minister Balaraju and YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president KK Raju were stopped or detained while heading to the protests.
